Celebrating "Momtrepreneurs" - Ellabee Papier (and a big giveaway!)

GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.


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Momtrepreneur Melissa: Owner of Ellabee Papier

Hello, I'm Melissa with Ellabee Papier and mommy to Ella, an energetic non-stop two year old. Ellabee Papier is my venture back into the world of working. The idea of starting my own business has always interested me. With the encouragement and support of friends and family, I became a mom-entrepreneur and Ellabee Papier came to fruition. I considered an Etsy store, but the start-up seemed daunting. Etsy's market is flooded with invitations and other paper merchandise just like mine and I wasn't sure I would get noticed. I decided to postpone the Etsy store and pursue word of mouth referrals and network with local vendors and so far, it is working. Between Ellabee and freelance print media design I stay quite busy.


Now for the fun part.

How do I manage being a stay-at-home mom turned work-at-home mom?

Most days I wish there were two of me. Ellabee Papier is still very new and I'm trying to figure it all out. I'm sure I jumped in prematurely (no official business plan or website) but I work better under pressure; at least that's what I keep telling myself. I read blogs and see "Super Moms" with multiple kids managing to do more. Not just a little more but lots more. How is that possible? Is it Inspirational? Yes! Am I Jealous? Of course I am! Will I be one of those moms? Fingers crossed.

How do I plan to get there? A comfortable chair and the television are my weaknesses. I am most productive at my desk. I try to limit my time on social media sites and I take advantage of naptime. I also work several evenings a week after Ella goes to bed. Is this working for me? It does most of the time, but occasionally I stress over deadlines. What am I learning along the way? To hopefully be a little less OCD and realize it's okay not to be a perfectionist. The most important lesson so far is not to procrastinate. I enjoy having time with Ella and being a mommy is my first priority. Too soon life will change and she will be off at school. Maybe then, I can be "Super Mom". One thing is certain, being a stay at home mom, work at home mom, or working mom makes no difference, raising a child is the hardest job of all.

You can view more of my work at http://www.facebook.com/EllabeePapier.

I would be happy to help create a memorable birthday party for your superstar!

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Prize #1 in the Momtrepreneur Week prize pack:
A custom name sign!
Designed to compliment your child's bedroom, be it whimsical, beautiful, or just plain fun!

To enter, simply leave a comment on one - or all - of the Momtrepreneur posts this week (I will have a new post every other day through 9/28). If you comment on each post this week, you get four entries! One tweet per day, with a link back to this post, also allowed as bonus. Just be sure to leave an extra comment saying "I tweeted!" with the link.

Please, don't make me search the world for your contact information - be sure to include a Twitter handle or email address so I can reach you if you are the lucky winner. 

Giveaway entries accepted through 9/30 at 9:00 PM eastern time. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. 

WW: Tiny bubbles make me happy

Wordless Wednesday
Who doesn't love bubbles?!?

(Linked up for some iPhone Photo Phun at @BelleBeanDog's place! You know you have some great phone photos - Come on over and join us.)

Four steps to HAPPY family travel

My husband and I share a love of travel. We work hard during the week, and often jump in the car for day trips of mini overnights on weekends. Once or twice a year, we jet off on a "big" vacation like the Canadian Rockies, Yellowstone, Maine, or an occasional cruise.

(Still can't believe I climbed a glacier!)

Since having Amelia join our family, we have altered our travel style a bit. But only a bit. We still travel annually and on many weekends. We continue to enjoy grand adventures here, there, and everywhere. However, we keep her needs in mind by shortening any selected hikes, making sure our hotel has a pool, keeping our eyes peeled for playgrounds, and scheduling child-friendly down time.

It used to take me days to plan out our trip needs and pack everything. But these days? I can get us in the car in 30 minutes flat.

Want to know my secret?

After stressing out before many vacations, I finally realized something. I can keep Amelia happy as long as I address four major needs. If you cover your bases on these four questions while packing, you will be sitting pretty. On an airplane or in a car, ready to enjoy that break from home and some extra-special family time.

(1) What if the child gets hungry?
One extremely important key to maintaining a happy child travel companion is this: snacks. I make sure to have a lunch tote or backpack full of snack options. Goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, granola bars, and yogurt raisins are some of our favorites. I always throw in a special treat as well - something she doesn't get very often, like M&Ms or Skittles. And I save those, snuggled down in the bag, until I she really needs a pick-me-up.

(2) What if the child gets bored?
Long car or airplane trips can be boring for adults, and they are torture for active preschoolers like mine. I always pack several entertainment items, such as coloring books with crayons, an egg of silly putty, books, a favorite toy, and/or stuffed animals or dolls. I have also found that the $1 store can work miracles in this type of packing situation. Five bucks at the dollar store means five activity surprises for your tiny travel partner. And just like the special treat, hide these in the bottom of the goody bag and dispense one at a time as needed. A brand new toy goes a long way towards entertainment. (One note: If you are headed for airplane travel, avoid any toys that make noise! The people sitting in front of your child will thank you.)

(3) What if the child needs to go potty?
This is a crucial part of the trip planning. If your little traveler is in diapers, then just make sure you have at least double the amount of diapers you would normally need during the travel time frame - and several extra outfits. Excess is good here, because you will inevitably face blow-outs or leaks when you least expect it.

If you have a potty-trained preschooler like I do, be aware (as in, never-ending high alert) of any and all bathrooms nearby. Similar to the diaper blow-outs, your child will most certainly beg to go potty once you've passed every available facility for miles. On a road trip, try to stick to roads that have plentiful gas stations, fast food restaurants, or hotels. For air travel, be aware of your flight time and get that child in the bathroom right before the captain requires you in your seat for the 30-minute approach and landing procedure. Fitting both of you in an airplane bathroom is an adventure in itself... but it is optimal compared to having to explain to a flight attendant why your child's seat is now soaked.

(4) What if the child gets tired?
This is the point we had to focus on the most. We enjoyed many active child-free vacations in our early-married days, but these often do not translate well to child-friendly adventures. Before we commit to any hiking trails or outdoor excursions, we have to put ourselves in Amelia's size-11 (and glittery) shoes. Can she walk that far? Is it possible to bring a stroller? Is there a height/age requirement for the activity? We have put some of our favorite excursions aside for now, but it is a sacrifice we are willing to take just to have her at our sides. She experiences new things with such shine and wonder in her eyes - and that is a sight I never want to miss.

Now I am ready for our next big trip!

How about you? Where do you want to take your family?

Magic moments happen every day

Sharing some of my favorite magic moments.

When you have an awesome little kid in your life, magic moments happen every day!

Magic is... First baby snuggles

Magic is... Joy in discovering a brand new furry friend



Magic is... Family playtime (Amelia's cousin Kate!)



Magic is... Lifelong friends, and a new generation

Magic is... Meeting childhood heroes

If I could tell new moms ONE thing...

If you are looking for expert advice on parenting, you have come to the right place should probably venture elsewhere.

But if you want some honest tips from a semi-clueless first-time mama who is managing to raise a pretty darn awesome kid? Okay, I can help you there.

I have now lived three years, five months, and five days with my lovely, precocious little darling.

She is worth the exhaustion.

She is worth the "mommy brain" from which I still often suffer.

She makes me laugh every single day.

So, what advice would I give to a new mom?

Do not lose yourself. Instead, take care of yourself.

Do not let society lead you to believe that a good parent must be a martyr. Don't let unsolicited advice make you doubt yourself. Do not put so much into raising your child the "right way" that you forget to raise yourself up at times. A good mom? Is a happy mom.

So, new moms? Repeat after me.

I will take time to be myself.

I will take time to be alone.

I will do something, just for me, on a regular basis.

I will not apologize for making myself happy.

When I am happy, my child will know it, feel it, and live it.

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Join in the fun with Mama Kat!

WW: History. Rememberance. Youth.

Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield near Atlanta
Field of Flags, 9/10/11

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Snapped a couple pics with my phone that day so I could join iPhone Photo Phun with BelleBeanDog!

Happy Wednesday!

My 3-yr-old may be smarter than me

It was the kind of morning I always dread. Too tired from a busy and never-long-enough weekend, hearing the sounds of sniffles coming from my daughter's cozy pink bedroom. When we got her up this morning to get ready for school, she insisted she was  fine. She wanted to go to school and play with her fellow preschool friends.

So after our usual morning routine of strawberry milk, a breakfast snack, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, we headed off to school. I kissed her head and gave her a hug before driving myself across town to work.

Then, around 12:15, my cell phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID and groaned.
Her school.

"Amelia is in my office, and can't stop crying. She says she doesn't feel good and needs you."

I wasn't thrilled to hear this news, but wasn't extremely surprised. So off I went again, back across town, to pick her up.

I arrived at her classroom and peeked in the door. She took one look at my face and lit up like sunshine.

"Hi, Mommy!" she exclaimed, waving. Then she bounded her happy little self over to me.

I questioned her about her crying incident. I asked her if she was sick.

"No, Mommy. I am fine now!" Grinning. Grasping my hand. "Let's go home."

Um... what?!?

I think a three-year-old may have just duped her mama, two teachers, and the assistant director of her school.


You live you learn... I guess.
(Mama feels like a fool!)